Accident Overview
A pilot was conducting a low-altitude circling maneuver over the residence of one of the passengers when the helicopter's engine lost power. The turn was being performed at an approximate bank angle of 50 degrees. The pilot immediately initiated an autorotation and directed the helicopter toward a nearby hay field for an emergency landing.
Maneuver and Wire Strike
As the pilot turned past a line of trees, he observed a utility pole and associated wires in his path. In an attempt to clear the obstructions, he maneuvered to climb over them. During this climb, the helicopter's tail boom contacted the wires. Following the strike, the flight controls experienced a shudder, and the helicopter began to bank to the left.
Landing
The pilot was able to level the helicopter approximately 20 feet above the ground. He then completed a landing in the hay field. The helicopter touched down without further incident.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident investigation revealed that the fuel tanks contained only a minimal amount of fuel. The condition of the aircraft after the event was otherwise not detailed in the pilot's report.